Page 16 - All About History - Issue 54-17

AZTECS

Rise and fall of the Aztec empire

NUAHTL SPEAKERS MEXICA TRIBE SETTLE
After centuries of

wandering, the Aztecs SETTLE IN MEXICO IN CHAPULTEPEC
The Mexica Chapultepec, on
built an advanced tribe leave their the western shore
homeland of of Lake Texcoco,
civilisation – only to have Aztlan for a new is taken by the
their empire reduced place to settle, Tepanec tribe, a
similar people to the
guided by their
to rubble by Spanish god Huitzilopochtli. Aztecs. The Mexica
If Aztlan is a real try to settle, but the
conquistadors place, it’s thought Tepanecs force them
to be California. to move on.

C.1110 C.1248

EMPIRE AT ITS PEAK COYOLXUAHQUI NEW FIRE TENOCHTITLÁN

The final rebuild of the colossal STONE CARVED CEREMONY HIT BY FLOODS
Templo Mayor is complete, great
speaker Ahuitzotl is ruling the Aztec The imposing circular likeness of This is celebrated in November Severe flooding damages the
Empire at its peak and huge volumes the decapitated and dismembered every 52 years at the end of the watery city, which is built
of tributes are collected. goddess Coyolxuahqui, sister of god Aztec celestial calendar. The on stilt-like foundations and
Huitzilopochtli, ceremony is utilises canals and causeways.
ny is
is created thought to The Aztecs
and stave off f believe that
placed the end the floods
at the of the are sent
bottom world by an
of the and angered
steps at keep Tlaloc,
Templo the sun god
Mayor. in the sky y. of rain.

1497 1473 1455 1452

MONTECZHUMA II COMES THE COMET ARRIVAL OF HERNÁN CORTÉS
TO POWER Aztec The Aztecs both worshipped and Spanish conquistador Cortés lands in Mexico and
9TH majestic headdresses a fiery comet were interpreted as chooses to greet him as a guest of honour.
He is the rulers wore observed the heavens. Unexplained hears of the Aztec civilisation and their treasure. He
events such as the appearance of
takes his men to Tenochtitlán and Monteczhuma
and Monteczhuma’s
ruler of the Aztec Empire was said to have over 400 signs of impending doom.
amazing feathers. After his
He ruled from Tenochtitlán death, conquistador Cortés
senttheheaddressto
for sent the headdress to
18 YEARS C Charles V of Spain as
f
a a trophy
hy
Monteczhuma II ruled an empiree
with a population of
6 MILLION

1502 1517 1519

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